Wicker plate (28)

Finely woven plate from different plant fibers namely "Wild eleusine, peeled dyed papyrus and thin fibers of Cyperus dives. It is composed of two layers of grasses, by which the underneath is uniformly colorless. The technique used is called "Ubuhuruture" whereby the work starts with a spiral, which is the base. The spiral is attached to the frame with a coarse weaving. Upward strips are attached to the spiral to be inter-twined with the twigs, all along re-adding more upward strips and tightening the twigs as hard as possible as the work get higher. When the base is ready, decorative motifs are added to the works.
Note that each of the traditional motif had a specific name, in this case the design or motif is called "Ihembe".
This wicker plate has decorative use.